U.S. patent number 6,408,950 [Application Number 09/552,943] was granted by the patent office on 2002-06-25 for foldable implement frame and hitch.
Invention is credited to Kenneth E. Shoup.
United States Patent |
6,408,950 |
Shoup |
June 25, 2002 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Foldable implement frame and hitch
Abstract
A foldable implement frame and hitch for attachment to a draft
vehicle with a three-point hitch, including a support frame
carrying field wheels and dedicated transport wheels, motors for
moving the transport support wheels between a stored position and a
transport position, a main frame having two telescoping frame
members, the outer one of the frame members being supported upon
the support frame and the inner one of the frame members carrying
on the other end thereof a hitch for connection to the three-point
hitch. Two wing frames are pivotally mounted on the support frame
with two wing motors connected between the support frame and the
wing frames for assisting in moving the wing frames between the
extended working positions. Wing wheel assemblies mounted on the
outer ends of the wing frames and each including a support wheel,
wing wheel lift motors mounted on the wing frame and connected to a
wing support wheel for moving it between a working position and a
transport position. The center of gravity of the implement frame in
the transport position is substantially forward, permitting more
planter, fertilizer or tillage units to be carried. Additional
stiffening members are connected to the wings.
Inventors: |
Shoup; Kenneth E. (Bonfield,
IL) |
Family
ID: |
24207453 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/552,943 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
172/311; 111/57;
172/456; 280/656 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01B
73/065 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01B
73/00 (20060101); A01B 73/06 (20060101); A01B
049/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;172/311,456,457,470,481,669,776,397,407,413,450 ;111/54,55,57
;280/656 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Batson; Victor
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Emrich & Dithmar
Claims
I claim:
1. A foldable implement frame and hitch having a front end for
attachment to a draft vehicle, comprising a support frame connected
to a main frame including at least two telescoping frame members,
two wing frames pivotally mounted on said support frame
respectively on either side of said main frame for movement between
extended working positions wherein said wing frames are in general
alignment with said support frame and retracted positions, motors
operable for moving said wing frames between the extended working
positions and the retracted positions, a plurality of field wheels
mounted on said support frame and said wing frames for supporting
said foldable implement frame on the ground when said wing frames
are in the extended working positions, motors operable for moving
said field wheels from ground engaging positions to stored
positions, dedicated transport wheels mounted on one of said
support and main frames movable between a stored position wherein
the transport wheels are out of contact with the ground and a
transport position wherein the dedicated transport wheels engage
the ground and support the implement frame with the wing frames in
retracted positions, and motors operable to move said dedicated
transport wheels between the stored and transport positions, said
transport wheels in the transport position being a substantial
distance from said support frame toward the front end of said
foldable implement frame.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the transport wheels are mounted
for rotation on axles positioned when said transport wheels are in
the transport position thereof between said support frame and the
front end of said foldable implement frame and spaced from said
support frame toward said front end not less than about 36
inches.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the transport wheels are mounted
for rotation on axles positioned when said transport wheels are in
the transport position thereof between said support frame and the
front end of said foldable implement frame and spaced from said
support frame toward said front end not less than about 60
inches.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said transport wheels are
pivotally mounted to said support frame and are movable by
hydraulic motor between the stored and transport positions thereof
and in the transport position thereof are positioned between said
support frame and the front end of said foldable implement
frame.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein said hydraulic motor is mounted
one end to a frame member above said main frame and at another end
to a frame pivotally mounted to said support frame.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein said transport wheels comprise
two pair of wheels, an inboard pair and an outboard pair, the
center to center distance between the outboard pair being not
greater than about 84 inches.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein said transport wheels comprise
two pair of wheels, an inboard pair and an outboard pair, the
center to center distance between the inboard pair being about 52
inches.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the transport wheel axles are
vertically displaced not less than about 60 inches when the
transport wheels move between the stored and transport positions
thereof.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein said wing frames are mounted to
said support frame by joints to permit both pivotal movement and
vertical movement in the field.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein each field wheel is operated by
a dedicated hydraulic motor.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein said transport wheels comprise
two pair of wheels, an inboard pair and an outboard pair, one of
each inboard and outboard pair being positioned on one side of said
main frame and being provided with a dedicated hydraulic motor to
move each of said inboard and outboard wheels between the stored
and transport positions thereof.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein a brace member is pivotally
connected at one end thereof to each wing frame and at another end
thereof to one of said main frame or said hitch to provide
resistance to draft forces encountered during field work.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the connection of each brace
member to said one of said main frame or said hitch is by ball
joint.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein each motor for moving said wing
frames between the extended working positions and the retracted
positions is pivotally mount one end thereof to a main frame
member.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein the main frame member includes
inner and outer telescoping frame members with said wing motors
being connected to said outer telescoping frame member, and said
inner telescoping main frame member being connected to said
hitch.
16. A foldable implement frame and hitch having a front end for
attachment to a draft vehicle, comprising a support frame connected
to a main frame including at least two telescoping frame members,
two wing frames pivotally mounted on said support frame
respectively on either side of said main frame for movement between
extended working positions wherein said wing frames are in general
alignment with said support frame and retracted positions, motors
operable for moving said wing frames between the extended working
positions and the retracted positions, a plurality of field wheels
mounted on said support frame and said wing frames for supporting
said foldable implement frame on the ground when said wing frames
are in the extended working positions, motors operable for moving
said field wheels from ground engaging positions to stored
positions, dedicated transport wheels mounted on one of said
support and main frames movable between a stored position wherein
the transport wheels are out of contact with the ground and a
transport position wherein the transport wheels engage the ground
and support the implement frame with the wing frames in a retracted
position, motors operable for moving said dedicated transport
wheels between the stored and transport positions, the center of
gravity of the foldable implement frame when the wing frames are in
the retracted positions thereof and the transport wheels are in the
transport position thereof being substantially forward of the
center of gravity of the foldable implement frame when the wing
frames are in the retracted positions thereof and the center field
wheels mounted to the support frame are in contact with the
ground.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the transport wheels in the
transport position thereof are mounted for rotation on axles
positioned between said support frame and the front end of said
foldable implement frame and spaced from said support frame toward
said front end not less than about 36 inches.
18. The device of claim 16, wherein the transport wheels are
mounted for rotation on axles positioned when said transport wheels
are in the transport position thereof between said support frame
and the front end of said foldable implement frame and spaced from
said support frame toward said front end not less than about 60
inches.
19. The device of claim 16, wherein said transport wheels comprise
two pair of wheels, an inboard pair and an outboard pair, the
center to center distance between the outboard pair being not
greater than about 84 inches.
20. The device of claim 16, wherein said transport wheels comprise
two pair of wheels, an inboard pair and an outboard pair, the
center to center distance between the inboard pair being about 52
inches.
21. A foldable implement frame and hitch having a front end for
attachment to a draft vehicle, comprising a support frame connected
to a main frame including at least two telescoping frame members,
two wing frames pivotally mounted on said support frame
respectively on either side of said main frame for movement between
extended working positions wherein said wing frames are in general
alignment with said support frame and retracted positions, motors
operable for moving said wing frames between the extended working
positions and the retracted positions, a plurality of field wheels
mounted on said support frame and said wing frames for supporting
said foldable implement frame on the ground at a first distance
above the ground when said wing frames are in the extended working
positions, motors operable for moving said field wheels from ground
engaging positions to stored positions, dedicated transport wheels
mounted on one of said support and main frames movable between a
stored position wherein the transport wheels are out of contact
with the ground and a transport position wherein the dedicated
transport wheels engage the ground and support the implement frame
with the wing frames in a retracted position at a second distance
above the ground, said second distance being greater than said
first distance, motors operable to move said dedicated transport
wheels between the stored and transport positions, said transport
wheels in the transport position being mounted for rotation on
axles positioned a substantial distance from said support frame
toward the front end of said foldable implement frame.
22. The device of claim 21, wherein the axles of said transport
wheels in the transport position thereof are positioned between
about 36 inches and about 60 inches toward said front end of said
implement frame from said support frame.
23. The device of claim 22, wherein said transport wheels include
an inboard pair and an outboard pair, the center to center distance
of said outboard wheels being not greater than about 84 inches and
the center to center distance between the inboard wheels being not
greater than about 52 inches.
24. A foldable implement frame and hitch having a front end for
attachment to a draft vehicle, comprising a support frame connected
to a main frame including at least two telescoping frame members,
two wing frames pivotally mounted on said support frame
respectively on either side of said main frame for movement between
extended working positions wherein said wing frames are in general
alignment with said support frame and retracted positions, a
longitudinally extending stiffening member parallel to and spaced
forward of a respective one of said wing frames connected thereto
by a bracket, said stiffening members transferring draft forces
from each of said wing frames in the extended working positions
thereof to at least one of the telescoping frame members, motors
operable for moving said wing frames between the extended working
positions and the retracted positions, a plurality of field wheels
mounted on said support frame and said wing frames for supporting
said foldable implement frame on the ground when said wing frames
are in the extended working positions, motors operable for moving
said field wheels from ground engaging positions to stored
positions, transport wheels mounted on one of said support and main
frames movable between a stored position wherein the transport
wheels are out of contact with the ground and a transport position
wherein the transport wheels engage the ground and support the
implement frame with the wing frames in a retracted position,
motors operable to move said transport wheels between the stored
and transport positions, said transport wheels in the transport
position being a substantial distance from said support frame
toward the front end of said foldable implement frame.
25. The device of claim 24, wherein each wing frame has at least
two stiffening members connected thereto.
26. The device of claim 25, wherein the two stiffening members for
each wing frame are vertically spaced apart.
27. The device of claim 24, wherein each wing frame is connected to
an adjacent stiffening member by a bracket at the end of said wing
frame outboard of said main frame when said wing frames are in the
extended working positions and are pivotally mounted at the other
end thereof.
28. The device of claim 27, wherein each stiffening member is
positioned between said telescoping frame members and said wing
frames when said wing frames are in the retracted positions
thereof.
29. A foldable implement frame and hitch having a front end for
attachment to a draft vehicle, comprising a support frame connected
to a main frame including at least two telescoping frame members,
two wing frames pivotally mounted on said support frame
respectively on either side of said main frame for movement between
extended working positions wherein said wing frames are in general
alignment with said support frame and retracted positions, a brace
pivotally connected to said main frame and to a bracket extending
forwardly from each wing frame, each of said brackets connecting
said wing frames to a respective one of said braces having an
offset portion thereof below the portion of said bracket connected
to said wing frame so that when the wing frames are in a retracted
position thereof the braces substantially are positioned underneath
said main frame, motors operable for moving said wing frames and
said braces between the extended working positions and the
retracted positions, a plurality of field wheels mounted on said
support frame and said wing frames for supporting said foldable
implement frame on the ground when said wing frames are in the
extended working positions, motors operable for moving said field
wheels from ground engaging positions to stored positions,
transport wheels mounted on one of said support and main frames
movable between a stored position wherein the transport wheels are
out of contact with the ground and a transport position wherein the
transport wheels engage the ground and support the implement frame
with the wing frames and braces in a retracted position, and motors
operable to move said transport wheels between the stored and
transport positions.
30. The device of claim 29, wherein each brace is mounted to said
main frame by a ball joint.
31. The device of claim 30, wherein a subframe is positioned below
said main frame members and is connected to one of said main frame
members, said braces being connected to said subframe by ball
joints.
Description
PRIOR ART STATEMENT AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to improvements in foldable
implement frames and hitches, and specifically to improvements in
the foldable implement frame disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,581,
the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
Implement frames and hitches are used to carry a wide variety of
implements such as an air-injection planter for corn and other hard
kernel grains, rotary hoes, "duck-foot" field cultivators, and the
like. It is desirable that such implement frames have a wide span
in the work position thereof so that a plurality of rows of crops
can be simultaneously cultivated during a single pass. However,
when it is time to transport the implement frame from field to
field or along a highway, it is desirable that the horizontal
extent of the implement frame be small so as to negotiate gates,
highway lanes and the like with ease.
One form of standard practice heretofore has been to make the
implement frame foldable between an extended working position and a
retracted transport position with the addition of transport wheels
when the parts are in the transport position. The closest prior art
is my previous U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,581. Other patents owned by
Kinze Mfg. Co. and John Deere were cited during the prosecution of
my prior patent and are generally relevant to this invention. For
the most part, the planter of the present invention operates
similarly to that described in my prior patent. That machine
hereafter the '581 machine, was entirely satisfactory for its
intended purposes; however, there always is room for improvement.
Where possible, I have used the same reference numerals to refer to
the same or similar parts in this application as compared to U.S.
Pat. No. 4,364,851.
One area for improvement of the '581 machine was the overall width
of the transport wheels 115. By that I mean the distance between
the center lines of the outboard wheels 115 was about 120 inches
and distance between the center lines of the inboard wheels 115 in
the '581 machine was about 60 inches. This distance is slightly
greater than the available roadway on an ordinary two lane road of
the type farmers trail equipment of the type represented by the
'581 machine. The result of this is that at least one of the
support wheels 115 is frequently off the road surface on the
shoulder, which often is unpaved.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a narrower
trailing width for the present machine compared to the '581 machine
to permit the wheels supporting the machine to be on the
pavement.
Another area for improvement of the '581 machine was the strength
of the wing frames 190. Particularly when 24 row units were
employed with the '581 machine or the 32 or more row units on the
present machine, the draft forces on the wing frames can be so
large that damage can occur. Particularly, cracking of the wing
frames 190 near the pivot point to hinge member 181 sometimes
occurred.
Accordingly, its is another object of the invention to provide
stiffening members for the wing frames in a forward folding planter
to prevent or significantly reduce wing frame or hinge member
cracking.
Another area for improvement in the '581 machine was the
configuration of the wing braces 220 in the folded or transport
position which prevented mounting fertilizing or tillage units
forward of the wing frames 190, all planter units 60 (see '581
patent) being mounted aft of the wing frame 190.
Accordingly, another object of this invention is to provide a
forward folding planter which accommodates planter units aft of the
wing frames and planter, fertilizer or tillage units forward of the
wing frames, even with the extra strengthening required by newer
and larger machines accommodating 32, 36 or more planting
units.
Another area of improvement of the '581 machine was the center of
gravity of the '581 machine tended to be too far aft of the hitch
when the frame was folded forward in the transport position,
resulting in lifting forces on the front of the draft vehicle. The
placement of the center of gravity of the '581 machine away from
the hitch 165 also made difficult using 32 or more planting units
because the weight of the large number of units tended to lift the
front of the draft vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to move the center of
gravity of the planter forward toward the hitch when the frame is
in the folded or transport position to maintain more weight on the
front of the draft vehicle or less weight on the rear, thereby
enabling larger frames with more planting units to be used.
Another area in which the '581 machine could be improved is the
time it takes to turn the machine at the end of a row. In the '581
machine the transport wheels also were the center field wheels. In
order to obtain sufficient road clearance during transport, the
frame had to be elevated a certain height above the ground, which
was accomplished by extending the distance the hydraulic piston
rods extended to elevate the frame. This caused the frame to
elevate to transport height at the end of each row (to disengage
the farm implements from the ground) when the '581 machine was
turned to begin a new row, resulting in time delays.
A still further object of the present invention is to decrease the
height to which the frame is elevated when the machine is turned to
enable to the present machine to be turned more quickly saving the
farmer time in the field.
A further area of improvement in the '581 machine was the rather
complicated mechanism required to lock the center field wheels into
the transport position while the wing wheels were retracted to a
transport position.
Yet another object of the present invention is to simplify the
mechanism required to move the transport wheels between a transport
position and a stored position.
Another object of the present invention is to improve the '581
machine by making it stronger, safer in transport, more versatile,
simpler and faster to operate while retaining the beneficial
features thereof. These and other objects are obtained by employing
dedicated transport wheels located forward and inboard of the '581
transport wheels; by utilizing newly designed offset brackets to
carry new strengthening and stiffening members while positioning
the wing braces beneath the main frame when the wing frames are in
a folded position enabling use of planting, fertilizer or
cultivation units forward of the wing frames.
Further features of the invention pertain to the particular
arrangement of the parts of the foldable implement frame and hitch,
whereby the above outlined and additional operating features
thereof are attained.
The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,
together with further features and advantages thereof will best be
understood with reference to the following specification taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a foldable implement frame and hitch made
in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present
invention, the parts of the frame and hitch being shown in the
extended working positions;
FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial top elevational view of the foldable implement
frame and hitch of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partial rear elevational view of the device of FIG.
2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the
device illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a partial top plan view of the foldable implement frame
and hitch made in accordance with and embodying the principles of
the present invention, the parts being shown in the folded
transport positions;
FIG. 7 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1 in the folded or
transport positions;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial view, partly expanded, of the
juncture of the wing braces and the main frame in the extended
working positions and showing the stabilizing lock;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the device illustrated in FIG. 8 as
seen along lines 9--9 thereof;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the device illustrated
in FIG. 8;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the stabilizing lock mechanism
illustrated in FIG. 8;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the connection between
the wing frame and stiffening members;
FIG. 13 is a further enlarged view of the members shown in FIG. 12
from a different view;
FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of the pivoting mounting
mechanism for the wing frames and stiffening members;
FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view showing the relationship of
the support frame, wing motors, and wing hinge members;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view showing the relationship of
the support frame, center field wheels and wing hinge members,
FIG. 17 is a partial side elevational view of the foldable
implement frame with the transport wheels in the storage position
and the center field wheels in a working position; and
FIG. 18 is a partial side elevational view of the stabilizer lock
assembly when the wing frames are in the extended working positions
thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
There is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings a foldable
implement frame and hitch 100 made in accordance with and embodying
the principles of the present invention, the foldable implement
frame and hitch 100 including a support frame 101 carried by a
plurality of center field wheels 115 and having fixedly connected
thereto a main frame 120 having an outer longitudinal frame member
121 telescopically receiving therein an inner longitudinal frame
member 125. Secured to the support frame 101 are two folding wings
180 supported at the outer ends by wing wheel assemblies 200 and
provided with wing braces 220.
The implement frame 100 is preferably drawn by a tractor or draft
vehicle (not shown) carrying the usual three-point hitch (not
shown) that provides a draft connection and which also can be used
to elevate the connected portion of the implement frame 100. The
support frame 101 (see FIGS. 5-7 and 16) is formed as a hollow box
and extends transversely of the implement frame 100. Mounted on the
lower portion of the support frame 101 are spaced apart bearing
members 105 (FIG. 15) extending slightly forwardly and pivotally
supporting a transversely extending wheel mount member or rock
shaft 106. The wheel mount member or rock shaft 106 has four pair
of struts 110 extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, each
pair of the struts 110 carrying an axle 111 on which is mounted one
of the center field wheels 115. The four center field wheels 115
support the frame 101 in the field, but unlike the '581 machine do
not support the frame 101 during transport.
The main frame 120 extends longitudinally and normal to the support
frame 101 and includes the two telescoping frame members 121 and
125, the outer frame member 121 being hollow and of rectangular
cross section (see FIGS. 8-11) and telescopically receiving therein
the inner longitudinal frame member 125 that is also hollow and of
rectangular cross section. The frame members 121 and 125 are
substantially the same as disclosed in the '581 patent and operate
in the same manner.
In order to raise and lower the support frame 101 and the adjacent
end of the main frame 120, mechanism is provided to raise and lower
transport wheel assembly 300 which includes outboard transport
wheels 302A and inboard transport wheels 302B connected by a frame
301 to a rock shaft 106A which is parallel to and slightly forward
(this is toward the draft vehicle and hitch 165) of the rock shaft
106 previously described as a wheel mount member 106 in the '581
patent. The rock shaft 106A like the rock shaft 106 is mounted to
the support frame 101. The frame 301 (FIG. 17) which holds the
transport wheels 302A and 302B includes a longitudinally extending
frame member 303 extending from the rock shaft 106 and is connected
at the other end to a yoke 305 having a center segment 306
generally parallel to the rock shaft 106A (FIG. 15) and outwardly
extending leg segments 307 which are connected as by welding to an
outwardly extending transverse segment 308. It should be understood
that there are two intersections 306 of the yoke 305 and two leg
segments 307 connected thereto and two transverse segments 308.
Each of the transverse segments carries a strut 310 on which is
rotatably mounted one each of the outboard and inboard transport
wheels 302A, B on axles 304. Although four transport wheels 302A, B
are shown, only two may be used in certain circumstances.
The two motor mechanisms 315 (FIGS. 5, 7 and 17) each of which
raises and lowers one of each transport wheels 302A, B each
includes a cylinder 316 which houses a piston, not shown, and which
has a piston rod 319 extending therefrom in the usual manner. One
end of each of the motors 315 is pivotally mounted as at 317 to a
inverted U-shaped brace member 312 connected as by welding to the
outer frame member 121 and more particularly, to the side walls 123
thereof. The other end of each of the piston rods 319 is connected
by a connector 318 to the adjacent leg segment 307. Therefore, the
transport wheels 302A, B are pivoted about the rock shaft 106A but
mounted on axles 304 and moved between a storage position as shown
in FIGS. 5 and 17 to a transport position in which the motor 315 is
operated to extend the piston rod 319 so as to position the wheels
302A, B as shown in FIG. 7. The rock shaft 106A is mounted on a
pair of spaced connectors 320 which are fixedly mounted, as by
welding, to the support frame 101 (FIG. 15).
In order to facilitate the telescopic movement between the frame
member 121 and the inner frame member 125 (which is mounted to a
draft vehicle) roller and accompanying mechanism 150 as described
in the '581 patent are utilized.
When the implement frame 100 is in the working position thereof
illustrated in FIG. 1, the telescoping main frame members 121 and
125 are in the positions illustrated in FIG. 18. With the parts in
this position, vertically aligned openings through the top and
bottom walls of the outer frame member 121 are in alignment with
openings in the top and bottom walls of the inner frame member 125,
all as described in the '581 patent.
The other end of the inner frame member 125 is provided with a
bifurcated hitch 165 having a vertically extending connecting plate
165A, the bifurcated portions being offset downwardly with respect
to the main frame member 125 and secured to a three-point hitch of
the associated tractor in the usual manner. This connection of the
main frame member 120 to the hitch not only provides the necessary
draft connection for the foldable implement frame and hitch 100,
but also provides the connection so that the three-point hitch can
be used to elevate the forward end of the implement frame 100, the
rear end of the implement frame 100 and specifically the rear end
of the main frame 120 being raised with respect to the ground by
operation of the cylinders 315 described heretofore. It should be
noted that the transport wheel assembly 300 and more particularly
the wheels 302A, B have been moved forwardly along the frame 120 a
considerable distance as compared to the position of the
combination field wheel and lift wheels 115 in the '581 patent. By
considerable distance, it is meant to be not less than about 36
inches from the support frame 101 to the axles 304 for holding the
transport wheels 302A, B when the transport wheels are in the
transport position, as will be described hereafter. The transport
wheels 302A, B in the transport position thereof, may have the
axles as much as about 60 inches or move forward of the support
frame 101.
In the prior art, transport wheels would generally be positioned
anywhere from 1-3 inches forward in the transport position as
compared to the field position due to the additional extension of
the piston rod which operates the motors that would move the field
wheels from the field position to the transport position. When the
word substantially is used in this context in this application, it
is meant that the axles 3-4 of transport wheels 302A, B are not
less than three feet and as much or more than five feet forward of
the support frame 101 in the transport position thereof.
The wings 180 are pivotally secured to the support frame 101, and
to this end, the support frame 101 carries two bearings 170 on the
upper surface thereof spaced inwardly from the ends thereof. Each
wing 180 includes a hinge member 181 that is secured to a hinge pin
183 extending upwardly from one of the bearings 170, each of the
hinge members 181 being mounted for pivotal movement about a
generally vertical axis The outer end of each of the hinge members
181 carries a vertically oriented connector or strap 185 (FIGS. 14
and 15) which has pivotally secured between the lower ends thereof
one end of the associated wing frames 190. A pivot pin 186
pivotally interconnects the vertical connector or strap 185 and the
associated wing frame 190 so as to provide for pivotal movement of
the wing frame 190 about a generally horizontal axis defined by the
pivot pin 186 and is held in place by the usual cotter pins. The
wing frames 190 are hollow and box shape in cross section and are
movable between an extended working position illustrated in FIGS. 1
and 3 and a folded transport position illustrated in FIG. 6.
At the end of each member 181 is a shaft 325 extending
perpendicularly from the hinge member 181. At the end of the shaft
325 away from the hinge member 181 is a vertically extending plate
316 similar to the bearing 187 in the vertical connector or strap
185. The bearing 317 receives one end of stiffening members 330 and
330A.
The stiffening members 330 and 330A extend generally parallel to
the wing frame 190 and has a bifurcated mounting plate 331 at one
end thereof, each of the bifurcated mounting plates 331 carrying a
bearing member 332 at the end thereof through which a pin 335
pivotally mounts the stiffening members 330 and 330A to the
vertical plate 316. Cotter pins retain the pivot pin 335 in place.
The stiffening members 330 and 330A are connected to the associated
wing frame 190 at the other end thereof by a brace construction 340
(FIG. 3). More particularly, the connection between the stiffening
members 330 and 330A and the associated wing frame member 190
includes a spaced apart pair of parallel connecting struts 341
normal to the frame member 190 and stiffening members 330A, B and a
angular strut 342 which connects the end of the wing frame 190 to
the end of the stiffening members 330 and 330A which terminates
short of the distal end of the wing frame 190.
Because of the substantial length of each of the wing frames 190,
the outer end thereof is supported by a wing wheel assembly 200
(see particularly FIGS. 1 and 3). Each of the wing wheel assemblies
200 includes a bracket (not shown) mounted on the associated wing
frame member 190 and fixedly secured thereto as by welding, the
brackets being previously described in the '581 patent. A pivot
(not shown) is as described in the '581 patent and each supports
pairs of struts 206 that each carry an axle 207 upon which is
rotatably mounted a wheel 208. The wheels 208 support the outer
ends of the associated wing frames 190 during the movement of the
folding wings 180 between the working positions thereof and the
transport positions thereof and also whenever it is desired to lift
the implements carried by the implement frame 100 out of contact
with the underlying soil.
In order to move the wheels 208 between the transport positions and
the working positions, wheel lift motors 210 have been provided.
Each of the motors 210 is the same as the motors 210 previously
described in moving the center field wheels 115 and includes a
cylinder 211 provided with a piston (not shown) connected to a
piston rod 212 that extends out of one end of the cylinder 211. The
other end of the piston rod 212 carries a connector (not shown)
that is secured to the wing frame 190, and the hydraulic cylinder
211 is pivotally secured by a pivot pin (not shown) to two lever
arms (not shown) disposed on the opposite sides of the cylinder
211, all as described in the '581 patent.
To assist in holding the folding wings 180 in the fully extended
and working positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 each of the
folding wings 180 has been provided with a wing brace generally
designated by the numeral 220. One end of each of the wing braces
220 is pivotally secured by a pivot pin 223 to a bracket 221 which
includes two spaced apart members 351, each having an attachment
portion 352 connected as by welding to each wing frame 190, one on
the top wall and one on the bottom wall, and a downwardly extending
portion 353 and a horizontal portion 354, each having an aperture
355 therein for receiving the pivot pin 223. A brace member 357
connects portions 353 and strengthens the brackets 221. Because of
the portions 353, the horizontal portions 354 extend between and
beneath the stiffening members 330 and 330A by means of a pivot pin
223, each bracket 221 being fixedly secured to one of the wing
frames 190 at a position such that the effective pivot connection
between the wing brace 220 and the wing frame 190 is essentially at
the midpoint of the wing frame 190 (i.e., the point of intersection
of an extension of the wing brace 220 with the wing frame 190 as
viewed in FIG. 1). The other end of each of the wing braces 220 is
pivotally secured by a ball joint 360 to a new stabilizer lock
assembly 370 to be described more fully hereinafter.
During the transport of the implement frame 100 with the parts in
the position illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the transport wheels
assembly 300 are in the position of FIG. 7, which serves to hold
the support frame 101 and the adjacent end of the main frame 120 in
the elevated positions necessary for transport, preferably about 5
feet above the ground. The complicated lever, latch and cable
assembly of the '581 patent is no longer required because the
transport wheel assembly 300 moves between its stored position in
FIG. 5 and the transport position in FIG. 7 by operation of
hydraulic motors 315 both of which are on hydraulic lines separate
from the hydraulic lines which control center field wheels 115 and
wing field wheels 208, all of which are operated by similar
hydraulic motors 210.
By providing, dedicated transport wheel assembly 300, several
advantages are obtained. The center of gravity of the implement
frame 100 can be adjusted forward toward the draft vehicle between
about 3' and about 5' during transport as compared to the center of
gravity when the field wheels 115 support the implement 100, which
permits the apparatus behind the center of gravity (in the
transport position) to be heavier and/or larger. This permits
implement frames 100 being able to accommodate 32 or 36 row units,
while at the same time moving the transport wheels 302A, B inboard
with respect to the '581 machine. The new transport wheels 302A, B
are preferably 84" apart, center to center, of the outboard pair of
wheels 302A and preferably about 52" apart, center to center, of
the inboard pair of wheels 302B. This is only representative and
preferred, but does not limit the invention. Clearly, the outboard
pair of wheels 302A may be somewhat closer or farther apart and
that is also true for the inboard pair of transport wheels 302B.
However, an advantage is that all four transport wheels 302A, B are
on pavement, as opposed to the '581 machine, as previously
described. Moreover, only two transport wheels may be used instead
of the illustrated four without departing from the invention.
Yet another advantage in having dedicated transport assembly 300 is
the transport wheels hydraulic motors 315 can move the transport
wheels 302A, B downward a sufficient extent (about 5 feet) to
elevate the implement frame 100 higher above the ground in the
transport position (FIG. 7) than previously available with the '581
device. Further, the center field wheels 115 can be moved a shorter
distance at the end of a row when the implement frame 100 is turned
(see dotted line position of FIG. 5), thereby elevating the
implement frame 100 to disengage any ground engaging implements
carried by the implement frame 100, which saves the farmer time.
All these advantages are a result of the dedicated transport wheel
assembly 300.
In order to assist in moving the folded wings 180 between the
retracted travel positions illustrated in FIG. 6 and the extended
working positions illustrated in FIG. two wing folding motors 240
have been provided (FIGS. 6, 15 and 16). Each of the motors 240
includes the usual hydraulic cylinder 241 having a piston (not
shown) disposed therein and connected to a piston rod 244 extending
from one end of the cylinder 241. One end of each of the cylinders
241 is connected to a coupling 242 connected to the associated
hinge member 181 by a pin 243. The piston rods 244 are respectively
connected to brackets 245 which are mounted on both the outer frame
121 and the cross member 175 by means of pins 247. Contraction of
the motors 240 assists in moving the folding wings 180 from the
extended working positions of FIG. 1 toward the folded positions of
FIG. 6.
When the main frame members 121 and 125 are in the fully telescoped
and working positions thereof, it is desired to stabilize the same
and to provide for transmission of draft forces there between
through structure in addition to the lock pin (not shown) but
described in the '581 patent To this end the stabilizer lock
assembly 370 has been provided and is best illustrated in FIGS.
8-11 and 18. The stabilizer lock assembly 370 includes a tubular
bottom frame member 371 fixedly secured as by welding to the side
walls 127 of the frame member 125 and to the vertically extending
plate 165A of hitch 165 by a pair of angularly disposed plates 372.
The assembly 370 further includes a butterfly or yoke member 375
fixedly mounted as by welding to the rearmost end of the bottom
frame member 371. The butterfly or yoke member 375 includes two
upwardly extending and spaced apart vertical plates 376 connected
at the bottom thereof to outwardly extending brackets 377 each
provided with two apertures 378 near the ends thereof for receiving
the ball joints 360, thereby mounting the struts 220 to the frame
member 371. The yoke member 375 further includes upwardly and
outwardly extending arms 379 each provided with apertures 381
therein for a purpose hereinafter set forth.
The outer telescoping frame member 121 is as previously shown in
the '581 machine provided with a generally U-shaped member 258 from
which extends on both either side of the outer member 121 and more
particularly the walls 123 thereof, pins 259. When the implement
100 is in the working positions thereof with the frame members 121,
125 in the fully telescoped operated positions as illustrated in
FIG. 1, the pins 259 enter into the recess apertures 381 to provide
vertical and lateral stability for the juncture while the forward
end of the frame member 121 passes over the bottom frame member
371, between the arms 379 of yoke 375. A cross bar 256 on top wall
128 of frame member 125 serves to provide a stop for outer frame
member 121 and cooperates with a latch connected to the roller 150
to secure the implement 100 in the operating positions thereof. The
presence of the pins 259 in the openings 381 relieves stress in the
wing frames 190. The lefthand and right hand wing frames 190 do not
tend to move in opposition to each other, but in unison creating
stress, which is transferred by the braces 220 to the bottom frame
member 371 and the hitch 165.
When the implement frame 100 is in the folded transport position
illustrated in FIG. 6, it is desirable to lock the wings 180 on the
main frame 120, this structure (not shown) is the same as
previously described in the '581 patent.
The hydraulic assembly used to operate the present invention is
similar to the hydraulic system disclosed in the '581 patent. In
the present invention, the center field wheels 115 are operated by
hydraulic motors 210 which may be substantially the same as the
hydraulic motors 210 which operate the wheel assemblies 200 on the
folding wings 180. In the '581 machine, the hydraulic system
connected to the center field wheels 115 was used to activate the
field wheels 115 into the transport position. Obviously, in the
present case, with dedicated transport mechanism 300 being
provided, a separate hydraulic line or lines are dedicated to the
transport wheel assembly 300. Moreover, because there is a separate
hydraulic line for the transport wheel assembly 300, the transport
wheels 300 can move a longer vertical extent than the field wheels
115 and 208. This, as previously discussed, provides a significant
advantage of time saving in the field when the farmer has to
elevate the implement frame and hitch 100 in order to turn at the
end of the rows. This is so because in the '581 machine, the center
field wheels, when operated to elevate the frame, would go to the
transport position which is higher than is necessary to turn the
implement frame 100 at the end of a row. In the present invention,
all or a portion of the field wheels 115 (center) and 208 (wings)
and the hydraulic motors 210 which are connected thereto may
elevate the frame 100 a sufficient amount (FIG. 5 dotted line) such
that any farm implements carried by the frame 100 clears the ground
thereby allowing the implement 100 to turn more easily but at the
same time do not elevate the frame 100 to the distance above the
ground which is provided when the transport wheel assemblies 300
are activated for transport of the foldable implement frame and
hitch 100.
The manner of use and operation of the implement frame 100 will now
be described in detail. Starting with the parts in the fully
retracted and folded position of FIGS. 6 and 7 which is the
transport position for the implement frame 100, the various parts
will be disposed as follows: the three-point hitch will be raised,
thus raising the main frame member 125 and the parts associated
therewith so as to provide ground clearance. The wings 180 are in
the fully folded position whereby the wing frames 190 are disposed
essentially parallel and forwardly extending and the stiffening
members 330 and 330A are between the main frame 120 and the
adjacent wing frame member 190. The wing braces 220 are beneath the
main frame 120 and occupy substantially the same width. That is the
wing braces 220 do not extend much, if any, beyond the width of the
main frame 120. This is extremely important since it permits
various units to be mounted on the stiffening members 330, 330A
between the wing frame members 190 and the main frame 120, a
significant advantage over the '581 machine.
Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated the transport wheel
assembly 300 in the transport position thereof during which the
hydraulic motors 315 have the piston rods 319 fully extended
thereby elevating the main frame 120 to its highest position above
the ground, such as about 5 feet, and in position for transport.
The vertical distance between the main frame 120 and the axles 304
of the transport wheels 302A and 302B can be adjusted by a variety
of ways including varying the hydraulic motors 315, as is well
known in the art. The axles 304 about which the transport wheels
302A and 302B rotate are positioned forward of the support frame
101 preferably between about 3 and about 5 feet and most preferably
about 62 inches. As before described, this moves the center of
gravity of the folding implement frame 100 forward toward the draft
vehicle when the implement frame 100 is in the folded or transport
position. Also, hydraulic motors 210 which operate field wheels 115
and 208 may be configured so that the distance between the field
position in which implements carried by the end frames 190 and/or
the stiffening members 330 and 330A are in contact with the ground
and the distance which the frame 120 has to be elevated in order to
disengage those units from the ground (see FIG. 5) for turning the
foldable implement frame and hitch at the end of a row can be
shorter to save time at the end of each row, compared to the
machine described in the '581 patent.
In order to move the parts of the implement frame 100 from the
positions illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 to those illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 3, the three-point hitch is lowered so as to rest the
wing frames 190 upon the wheels 208 and to lower the main frame
member 125 out of contact with and spaced below the transport link
as disclosed in the '581 patent. The operator then drives the
associated tractor slowly rearwardly. The support frame 101 on the
wheels 115 remains essentially stationary while the motors 240 are
actuated. This action transmits a force to the wing braces 220 that
tends to move the wing frames 190 apart and away from each other
toward the positions illustrated in FIG. 1. The hydraulic motors
240 are also extended at this time by actuating the appropriate
control valve, (not shown) thus to aid in this rearward swinging of
the wing frames 190.
The parts eventually arrive at the positions illustrated in FIG. 1,
i.e., with the wing frames 190 in lateral alignment, the hydraulic
motors 240 fully extended and the main frame members 121 and 125
fully telescoped and with the latch over the bar 256 (FIG. 18). The
operator can remain in his seat on the tractor since there are no
locking pins used in the '581 patent. The latch assembly (FIG. 18)
assists in holding the main frame members 121 and 125 in the fully
telescoped and coupled position illustrated in FIG. 1. It will also
be noted that as the main frame members 121 and 125 approach the
fully telescoped positions thereof, the pins 259 enter the openings
381 in the yoke 375 (see FIGS. 8-11 and 18) to impart rigidity to
the main frame at this juncture.
The operator then without leaving his seat on the tractor,
simultaneously actuates hydraulic motors 315 to the retracted
positions so as to lower the support frame 101 and the rear end of
the main frame 120 from the position of FIG. 7 to the working
positions thereof shown in FIG. 5. The hydraulic motors 315 and the
hydraulic motors 210 are connected to different hydraulic circuits,
whereby actuation of the motors 315 to lower the support frame 101
and the main frame 120 is independent of the motors 210 which raise
or lower the wheels 115, 208 to the working positions thereof.
Moreover, at the end of a row, the motors 210 can be actuated to
raise the frame 120 enough to disengage any implements from the
ground (to the dotted line position in FIGS. 5) without raising the
frame 100 to the extent shown in the transport position of FIG.
7.
Certain implements carried by the implement frame 100 further
include clutch arrangements which are also actuated by the shifting
of the wheels 115 and/or 208, whereby placing the wheels 115 and/or
208 in the working position engages the implement clutches, while
movement of the wheels 115 and/or 208 to the transport position
disengages the implement clutches. The implement frame and the
implements thereon are now in the position for working and the
associated tractor moves forwardly pulling the implement frame 100
behind.
When it is desired to transport the implement frame 100, it can be
moved from the working position illustrated in FIG. 1 to the
transport position illustrated in FIG. 6 as follows: the operator
gets down from the seat of the associated tractor and disengage the
latch carried by roller 150. He then remounts the tractor and
actuates control valves to expand the hydraulic motors 315 to raise
the support frame 101 and the frame member 121 to the positions of
FIG. 7 while lowering transport wheels 302A, B. Pilot operated
check valves are used with motors 315 to prevent the frame 100 from
dropping from the transport position if hydraulic fluid is lost.
The operator then starts the tractor forward at a slow rate while
simultaneously operating the wing folding motors 240 to retract the
same. The inner frame member 125 moves forwardly with the tractor.
In FIG. 1, the braces 220 are connected to the lower frame member
371 and the inner frame member 125 to extend inner member 125,
which in combination with the retraction of motors 240, pull the
wings 180 forward. The three point hitch on the tractor is raised
to engage the latch (160) as shown in the '581 patent. The outer
ends of the wing frames 190 are supported by the wheels 208 which
are raised by the motors 210 whereby the parts move to the position
of FIG. 6. to move to the planting position, the above process is
reversed As the outer ends of the wings 180, and specifically the
wing frames 190, approach each other, the wing braces 220 fold
underneath the main frame 120 freeing up space between the wing
frames 190 and the main frame 120 for units mounted on the
stiffening members 330 and/or 330A. The stiffening members 330 and
330A prevent the wing frames 190 from cracking or bending because
of forces generated during operation of the device.
A large number of implements may be advantageously mounted upon the
implement frame 100 described. Because of the stiffening members
330 and 330A, in combination with other features and advantages
described herein, 32 or 36 row planters may be used. Other examples
of tools that may be mounted upon the frames 100 are rotary hoes
and "duck-foot" field cultivators. When folded to the transport
position of FIG. 6, the implement frame 100 described above has a
transport width of less than 11 feet with no implements mounted
thereon and has a transport width of less than 15 feet when there
are mounted thereon air-injection plate lift planters 60 as
illustrated in the drawings. The center of gravity having been
moved forward as previously discussed and the dedicated transport
wheels 302A and 302B permit a shorter turning radius for the
subject device compared to the '581 device and the implement frame
100 can carry more weight with a larger number of units because of
the new center of gravity does not lift the front of the draft
vehicle.
It is believed that all the advantages of the '581 machine have
been retained but significantly improved by the addition of
dedicated transport wheels closer together than the '581 transport
wheels, and the relocation of the center of gravity toward the
draft vehicle, and the addition of stiffening members 330 and 330A
with the newly configured brackets 221 permitting the wing braces
220 to fit underneath the main frame 120 (see FIG. 6) freeing space
for additional units mounted on the stiffening members forward of
the wing frames 190.
While there has been described what is at present considered to be
the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood
that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended
to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall
within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *